Queensland Cup Preview - Rd 19

THE STORY: If Burleigh is to somehow produce a miracle and fight its way back into finals contention, the Bears must start by beating the toughest team in the competition. North Queensland is bolstered by the inclusion of Brett Firman on the bench, while Burleigh is beset by injuries. Coach Jimmy Lenihan says Adam Hayden is unlikely to play again this season, with four more players also in doubt this weekend.

THE STAT: Despite being one of the competition?s most successful clubs, Burleigh has not won against North Queensland in their last seven battles. This includes the four times the clubs met in 2004 in a running duel for the Wizard Cup premiership. North Queensland won the grand final 36-6.

THE STAR: North Queensland prop Sam Faust was named one of the club?s best in last weekend?s 10-all draw with Easts. In 2002 he captained a Kirwan High side which included Sam Thaiday, Jacob Lillyman, Colin Wilkie, Dean Payne, Steve Goodhew, Phil Dennis, Drew Donovan and Simon Boyes ? all of whom have played Wizard Cup or higher.

THE STORY: This match could well be branded the ?Battle For Fourth Spot?, with the winner from this encounter in the box seat to host the elimination final in a month?s time. There have been minimal changes to the respective line-ups from last weekend, as both teams enjoy good form. One player back from suspension is Tweed skipper Matt King.

THE STAT: Tweed Heads beat Easts 26-24 in a match-up earlier this season. On that occasion there was an air of controversy to the result, with Tigers half Luke Branighan ruled offside for a try which could have won the game.

THE STAR: Matt Lockyer may have relinquished the goal-kicking duties, but he still features on the Wizard Cup?s list of top scorers. With 433 career points he is just one conversion short of joining similarly skilled ball-player Scott Maguire, who retired with 435 points and ranks 13th all-time. North Queensland?s Brenton Bowen is 12th with 468 points.

THE STORY: Wynnum Manly?s penchant for rocking the apple cart in recent weeks stands as a threat to Toowoomba?s designs on second spot and even the minor premiership. Although the Seagulls lost 56-30 to Norths last weekend, statistics at one stage in the second half showed they had just seven sets in possession, compared to the Devils? 20. Toowoomba also had a loss last Saturday, going down 34-16 against Redcliffe.

THE STAT: Brett Seymour will play his fifth Wizard Cup game of the year on Saturday. He will see plenty of familiar faces in the Wynnum team. Simon Phillips and Josh Rovelli played for the same junior club, Mackay Souths, while Steve Irwin is an ex-Toowoomba teammate.

THE STAR: Amid last weekend?s loss to Norths, Seagull Tangi Ropati scored a late consolation try which showed great nous and agility. Ropati came to Wynnum at the behest of Brisbane Broncos assistant Ivan Henjack and is set to play at Kougari again in 2007. He is often identified as a danger player by opposition coaches.

THE STORY: In a somewhat fitting sideline to the ?Fibros v Silverfins? battle, Souths Logan chief executive Jim McClelland was this week forced to call Redcliffe coach Anthony Griffin after the Souths Logan clubhouse was broken into. The reason? Griffin remains the insurance broker for the Magpies, a club he coached until two seasons ago.

THE STAT: Troy Lindsay will equal Peter Leis? long-standing record of 261 first grade games for Redcliffe this weekend to add another feather to his cap in a wonderful career. Lindsay, Leis and fellow 200-games Trevor Benson and Tony Obst will hand the jerseys out to the Dolphins before the game. Lindsay is also the most-capped player in the Wizard Cup.

THE STAR: After initially being ruled out for the remainder of the season, Brandon Costin has put his hand up to play for the depleted Magpies. This will mark the first time he has played alongside Chris Sandow. Hooker Cameron Joyce is also back after knee and ankle injuries.

THE STORY: Norths has the slimmest of finals hopes, but the Devils showed last weekend that if any side can come from nowhere to make the five it is them. Spurred by three tries each from Chris Walker and Steve Franciscus, the Devils scored 52 unanswered points against Wynnum. Ipswich will also want to finish the season strongly as it looks to get rid of the wooden spoon and attract coaching candidates for 2007.

THE STAT: Ipswich actually got the better of Norths the first time they met this year, winning 38-36 at QLD Group Stadium. Norths fielded its most inexperienced team of the season that day however, with seven players from Round 9 not playing first grade this weekend.

THE STAR: James Aubusson arrived at Norths this season to much fanfare and is now really starting to show his skill. The Junior Kangaroo is a clever organiser and tackles extremely hard for a ?small? man, much in the same vein as Lincoln Withers. Forwards quickly learn he is not the man to direct traffic towards.